Child Soldiers

Around the world, an estimated 250,000 children—some as young as 7—are involved in armed conflicts. Children are exploited in state-run armies, paramilitaries, and rebel groups. Coerced, enticed or abducted, these children serve as combatants, porters, spies, human mine detectors and sex slaves; their health and lives are endangered and their childhoods are sacrificed.

World Vision is urging the European Union’s interior and justice ministers to make a commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of refugee children at its emergency meeting in Brussels on September 14.

Over the past 20 years 790,000 donors have given life-changing gifts through World Vision's Gift Catalog — such as goats, clean water, food and education — helping 7.3 million people in need around the world.